Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, June 29, 1993 TAG: 9306290162
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Los Angeles Times
DATELINE: INGLEWOOD, CALIF. LENGTH: Short
Although West doesn't usually offer such emphatic public statements - and although the Lakers pick 12th and Lynch is projected to go later in the first round - West's openness might stem from his view that Lynch simply is a good choice.
The 6-foot-8, 218-pound Roanoke, Va., native averaged 14.7 points and 9.6 rebounds last season and 15.7 points and 9.8 rebounds during the Tar Heels' NCAA title run.
Often described as an unselfish, A.C. Green-type player, he could remedy the loss of Green to free agency and at a lower price than Green would command. He might also extend a streak of what West called "good luck with North Carolina players," a reference to James Worthy and Sam Perkins.
"We need help at the four [power forward] position, which is what he does, and we need help rebounding, which is what he does," said West, who also likes 6-11 Hartford forward Vin Baker, but expects Baker to go higher.
But for those of suspicious mind, there is the notion that West praised Lynch to divert attention from another player he really wants.
Jackson State point guard Lindsey Hunter has been deemed the Lakers' probable choice, but West said Monday that Hunter "is a talented kid, but not what we need."
Keywords:
BASKETBALL
by CNB